The newly refurbed Inverness Co-op on Telford Street has partnered with value retailer Boyes. The discount retailer’s first venture into Scotland has created 10 jobs.
The 10,500sq ft Co-op opened on Thursday 27 June, with the Boyes section offering discount clothing; homewares; electrical appliances; stationery; DIY products; soft furnishings; wool and haberdashery; craft and hobby; pet products; and seasonal ranges.
The new look store, which supports nearly 40 local jobs, has an improved range and layout following a six-week investment programme. An over-counter range from Inverness-based bakery Harry Gow offers hot pies and cakes, alongside an extensive focus on fresh and chilled produce.
Telford Street’s Co-op also includes a Costa Coffee Express, customer car parking and a free ATM. There is also a new self-service laundromat located outside the store.
A recycling unit is available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including crisp packets and bread bags.
Roddy Macleod, Co-op’s Telford Street Store Manager, said: “The whole team is delighted to relaunch the Telford Street store with a fresh new look following a six-week investment programme. We are also pleased to welcome Boyes into our store, we are confident that this will be a popular addition for local shoppers. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life and we have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve our community conveniently. The store also has a focus on delivering value, with member price savings across a wide range of everyday essentials so that the people who own our business, our member-owners, benefit every time they shop.”
Boyes history dates back to 1881 when William Boyes opened a small store in Eastborough, Scarborough, selling odd lots and remnants from merchants. Today it operates more than 70 outlets throughout Yorkshire, the North East of England, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
Chairman of Boyes, Andrew Boyes, said: “As a family business that has been trading in England since 1881 we are pleased and proud to be introducing our brand into Scotland with our new store in Inverness – Our Partner Agreement with Co-op and the major refurbishment of their Inverness store has provided an ideal opportunity for Boyes to start trading in Scotland and show the local people what Boyes means by value and variety!”
Mark Matthews, Director of Format & Innovation, Co-op, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Boyes, and to be part of Boyes expansion as they launch their first Scottish store. As we invest in transforming our Telford Street store we are committed to creating added services which provide a compelling customer offer in the community. The addition of a Boyes outlet will offer further value and choice for our member-owners and customers in Inverness.”
